I have en route to my house a few JVC SR-MV55Us that I intend to use for my VHS ripping workflow. Each unit has the same problem where is says "LOADING".

Is this a common problem on this unit and it is hard to fix?

thx!

-- merged --

Here's the error in action:

-- merged --

Ok.. I see this thread.

We'll see if this is the bob with the units when I get them:

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr...5-flashes.html

I suppose you checked (cleaned) the mode switch, didn't you ?

When you get the VCR's describe the problem clearly so we can try to help you.

You weren't kidding when you said a few!! And every single one has the exact same problem??

Do we have an obsessive collector in here ?

He's going to start selling them in the Marketplace! :D

Well that's a given! I think we have MANY obsessive collectors in here ;)

I will sell them ONLY if I can't get them functional.

I have 1K+ tapes I'm trying to rip, I need a good inventory of decks. :)

Oh wow! I see what you mean about VCRs. :eek:

LOADING is a generic error message, and means something is broken, even missing. It could literally be anything at fault that isn't the power (ie, would not even power on in that case). Don't expect service manuals to be overly helpful, too many problems are simply missing (ie, not serviceable).

If you bought these for actual work, then you probably made a bad buy.

eBay is a video dumping ground, even fraudulently so these days (example: TBC board swapping), where too many video newbies are suckered out of their money. Sad, really. It wasn't always this way.

Bad power supply filter capacitors is one issue that can cause JVCs to get stuck with LOADING so worth checking that at least if possible.

So 2 of 4 showed up today. Both (as "promised" by the seller) have the SAME problem.

Here's a quick video of it not working, in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgo8V6pznGw

You can hear the tape playing, fast forwarding, rewinding, etc. Zero picture though.

Attachment 16314

Attachment 16315

Attachment 16316

we can't see nothing of what's happenning inside on this video, not very informative

is the reel pulled against the drum normally, is the drum spinning ? etc...

If the loading error is related to the DVD drive just unplug it from the chassis and see what happens. I agree that video you posted is useless, If you need help you need to show more.

The tape loads, the heads are spinning and I'm able to ff, rw, pause, eject. There's no picture and the power button doesn't do anything.

I unplugged DVD player (the power) -- same behavior.

If the dvd player don't work (no dvd play), i don't know (probably power supply related)
If it's just the vcr, perhaps a back tension problem (=loose reel) see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO9ODrYZl8w

The power button problem will remain but one problem after the other.

Quick update, I tried the second batch of two --- one has the same behavior as the first two and the last will not even eject a tape after inserting it -- so worse behavior.

So LS was correct, all four of these units appear to be beyond screwed.

My next step is to start really tearing these babies and go deeper, now that I know there are no quick fixes and I have nothing to lose.

Side note: I tried hooking up all the units to my computer via the serial port to see if there are any signs of life there too -- that yielded nothing also.

Once upon a time, about a decade ago and before, bad caps was the most common issue with these models. But now? Nope. You can certainly hope that's it, but I'd wager money against it.

Lack of display is usually board level fault, caps not really likely. Possible, but don't get your hopes up by recapping. Hope for the best, expect no change.

No. That causes LOADING. So no change, since already LOADING.

Definitely not it.

I have some units with different errors. You may be able to frankenstein. If a recap yields no change as expected, we should email/PM.